[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Mark Knopfler — Punish the Monkey
Album: Kill to Get Crimson
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1148









Released: 2007
Length: 4:33
Plays (last 30 days): 2
share tweet wikiwebsitesearchamg
cd
mp3
search
They're driving long nails into coffins
You've been having sleepless nights
You've gone as quiet as a church mouse
And checking on your rights

The boss has hung you out to dry
And it looks as though
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go

you've been talking to a lawyer
Are you gonna pretend
That you and your employer
Are still the best of friends

Somebody's gonna take the fall
There's your quid pro quo
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey, yeah
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go

Here comes a policeman
He won't be sidetracked
He's asking 'bout a smoking gun
He's after the bad

It's a quiet life from here on in
You dropped your poisoned cup
The telephone is ringing
But you're not picking up

Times I've said are flunky
And everybody knows
Punish the monkey
(Punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah
(Punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go

Punish the monkey
(Punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey, yeah
(Punish the monkey)
Punish the monkey
And let the organ grinder go

Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Punish the monkey
Comments (74)add comment
 andrew2112 wrote:




One glaring omission: Shock the Monkey ~Gabriel
Posted 1 week ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:
The Main Monkey Business - Rush
  

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.

Okay, a few more:
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Half Ass Monkey Boy - Mother Love Bone
Monkey to Man - Elvis Costello
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - The Headstones/The Traveling Wilburys
The Lord is a Monkey - Butthole Surfers
Monkey Island - J. Giels Band
Mikey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson
16 Monkeys - Los Lonely Boys


Posted 1 month ago by andrew2112    [ Reply ]
This album is in regular rotation around our house, one of Marks better solo efforts.
Now about that monkey........
Posted 4 months ago by brollo    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

First it was spank the monkey, then shock the monkey.........now they continue to punish the monkey? LEAVE THE MONKEY ALONE



It's worse in Hartlepool, NE England, where the natives allegedly hanged a shipwrecked monkey in the belief that it was a French spy.  They're perversely proud of this, to the extent that fans of Hartlepool United FC call themselves the monkeyhangers :o)
Posted 8 months ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Timely
Posted 1 year ago by jirvin8387    [ Reply ]
RP?! Would You like to punish my monkey?
PUNISH HIM!  TOUCH HIM!!
Bestrafe meinen Affen!!
...... he es shmitten wit u,  zank u very much!🐵🐒........
Posted 1 year ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

  

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.

Okay, a few more:
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Half Ass Monkey Boy - Mother Love Bone
Monkey to Man - Elvis Costello
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - The Headstones/The Traveling Wilburys
The Lord is a Monkey - Butthole Surfers
Monkey Island - J. Giels Band
Mikey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson
16 Monkeys - Los Lonely Boys


Where else are you gonna get important stuff like this?
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

  

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.

Okay, a few more:
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Half Ass Monkey Boy - Mother Love Bone
Monkey to Man - Elvis Costello
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - The Headstones/The Traveling Wilburys
The Lord is a Monkey - Butthole Surfers
Monkey Island - J. Giels Band
Mikey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson
16 Monkeys - Los Lonely Boys


You can also add:
Monkey Dick - Fishbone
Posted 1 year ago by SchrodingersCat    [ Reply ]
 dougalbumski wrote:




monkey man-rolling stones
Posted 1 year ago by rbrise    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:
Great playlist.  I dare you, Bill.  
I remember the theme playlist on KMPX and KSAN in San Francisco in the late 60s and early 70s.  

  

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.

Okay, a few more:
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Half Ass Monkey Boy - Mother Love Bone
Monkey to Man - Elvis Costello
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - The Headstones/The Traveling Wilburys
The Lord is a Monkey - Butthole Surfers
Monkey Island - J. Giels Band
Mikey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson
16 Monkeys - Los Lonely Boys


Posted 1 year ago by dougalbumski    [ Reply ]
First it was spank the monkey, then shock the monkey.........now they continue to punish the monkey? LEAVE THE MONKEY ALONE
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Punish the Monkey
And let the Organ Grinder go ...

Monkey = Giuliani?
Organ Grinder = Trump?

Ah, US politics!  Where the surreal is an everyday occurrence!



Nah...

Monkey = me
Organ Grinder = my (at some point ex) wife
Posted 2 years ago by BeanCrusher    [ Reply ]
Isn't it always the case, that the organ grinders get away clean and the poor monkeys get it in the neck. Fine song, Mark. 8 from the primate Nottingham jury. Ook ook!
Posted 2 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Like Marc Maron joked, soon hearing "hey, did you hear hunting is allowed at zoos now?" will fly by without a raised eyebrow.

Mike Judge's"Idiocracy" seems rather prophetic now too. Uggg.
Long Live RP our last bastion of normal.

Speak for yourself, Lizard Boy...
c.
Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Haha, I thought he was singing "polish the monkey"... :-D
Posted 2 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
 phlattop wrote:


Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.
 
Monkey Man- Rolling Stones
What Makes the Monkey Dance- Chuck Prophet



Tweeter and the Monkey Man - Bob Dylan
Posted 2 years ago by xknox    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:



lemmoth wrote:New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more


maxjboxer wrote:

Hey Hey We're the Monkeys, and people say we monkey around.

No wonder they get punished and shocked.


 

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.
 
Monkey Man- Rolling Stones
What Makes the Monkey Dance- Chuck Prophet

Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
I wanna hear this with (in order):
Shock the Monkey, Peter Gabriel
Money Gone to Heaven, Pixies

It just seems logical.
Posted 3 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Punish the Monkey
And let the Organ Grinder go ...

Monkey = Giuliani?
Organ Grinder = Trump?

Ah, US politics!  Where the surreal is an everyday occurrence!
 
Like Marc Maron joked, soon hearing "hey, did you hear hunting is allowed at zoos now?" will fly by without a raised eyebrow.

Mike Judge's"Idiocracy" seems rather prophetic now too. Uggg.
Long Live RP our last bastion of normal.
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Punish the Monkey
And let the Organ Grinder go ...

Monkey = Giuliani?
Organ Grinder = Trump?

Ah, US politics!  Where the surreal is an everyday occurrence!
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

lemmoth wrote:New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more


maxjboxer wrote:

Hey Hey We're the Monkeys, and people say we monkey around.

No wonder they get punished and shocked.


 

Me and My Monkey - Robbie Williams
Everyone Has Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey - Lennon
Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
Everybody's Got the Monkey - David Lee Roth
Monkey In Your Soul - Steely Dan
Monkey - Robert Plant
Too Much Monkey Business - Chuck Berry/Elvis
Shake Me Like A Monkey - DMB
Monkey Time - Boz Scaggs
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Leave My Monkey Alone - Warren Zevon
Monkey Puzzle - Dr. John
Proudest Monkey - DMB
Monkey On My Back - Aerosmith

... there are many more.

Okay, a few more:
Monkey Gone to Heaven - Pixies
Half Ass Monkey Boy - Mother Love Bone
Monkey to Man - Elvis Costello
Tweeter and the Monkey Man - The Headstones/The Traveling Wilburys
The Lord is a Monkey - Butthole Surfers
Monkey Island - J. Giels Band
Mikey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson
16 Monkeys - Los Lonely Boys
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 zepher wrote:

Dear Mr Knophler, sorry George took your guitar.  He tends to be rather curious and loves to learn new things.
I hope he wasn't too much trouble. - Man with Yellow Hat
 

Bump... Poor Monkey
Posted 4 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 iamnotafraid wrote:
Generally I like Knopfler, but he seems to be mailing it in on this one. Just ok.
 
I call heresy! Mark Knopfler might not get a 10 every go 'round on RP, but he NEVER "mails it in." I hereby punish you to an hour of Dave Matthews Band. Go. And never darken his songs' comments space ever again. 
Posted 4 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Guarded by Monkeys: Cracker

 m_logie wrote:

Proudest Monkey: DMB
Monkey Wrench: Foo Fighters
 

Posted 4 years ago by brookap    [ Reply ]
Generally I like Knopfler, but he seems to be mailing it in on this one. Just ok.
Posted 5 years ago by iamnotafraid    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Smokey Robinson: Mickey's Monkey
 
Proudest Monkey: DMB
Monkey Wrench: Foo Fighters
Posted 5 years ago by m_logie    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 

Moonbeam Monkey -- Tanya Donelly.
Posted 5 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
excellent CD!!
Posted 5 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
 skooba wrote:
I came here to ask how one punishes the monkey.  Looks like a lot of listeners beat me to it.  {#Cheesygrin}

 
Sorry I'm late....just got in....had to perform the Heimlich real quick on my choking chicken.

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
What with Peter Gabriel telling us to shock the monkey, Mark telling us to punish him, and countless others suggesting we spank the poor fellah, hey, it's a tough time out there for monkeys! 

That's probably why they were so eager to go into outer space.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I caught myself singing..."polish the monkey".....oops
Posted 7 years ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
Very 'Sultanas of Swing'
Posted 7 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
I came here to ask how one punishes the monkey.  Looks like a lot of listeners beat me to it.  {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 7 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
Smack the pony,
Bash the bishop.
.....
I'm pretty sure Mark knew exactly what he was doing....
Posted 7 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Incredibly prolific
Posted 8 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:

My young lad plays a computer game called "Spank The Monkey".  Work that one out.

 
I heard there was a digital version of that.

=runs for cover= 
Posted 8 years ago by Bone    [ Reply ]
 dirtbagpook wrote:
I thought he was saying 'Polish the Monkey'. Jeez, talk about misheard lyrics. {#Rolleyes}

 
My young lad plays a computer game called "Spank The Monkey".  Work that one out.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more

 
Beastie Boys' Brass Monkey, Gorrillaz' Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey's Head, and Travelling Wilburys' Tweeter and the Monkey Man.
Posted 9 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more

 
Hey Hey We're the Monkeys, and people say we monkey around.

No wonder they get punished and shocked.


Posted 9 years ago by maxjboxer    [ Reply ]
so western moviie sounding. i can hear the wooden sidewalks sprouting under m y feet.

there is soeething about this that reminds me of dylan's tales of yankee power period
Posted 9 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]

Dear Mr Knophler, sorry George took your guitar.  He tends to be rather curious and loves to learn new things.
I hope he wasn't too much trouble. - Man with Yellow Hat
Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 rgabriel wrote:

Alphaville - Monkey in the Moon (not on RP... yet)

 
Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench
Posted 10 years ago by m_logie    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more

 
Alphaville - Monkey in the Moon (not on RP... yet)
Posted 10 years ago by rgabriel    [ Reply ]
Definitely needs more cow bell.
Posted 10 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
BESIDES EVERYTHING ELSE ONE OF THE BEST PRODUCERS ON THE PLANET
Posted 10 years ago by rivergrande    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
Smokey Robinson: Mickey's Monkey
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Gillian Welch: One Monkey (Don't Stop The Show).
Posted 10 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 mgtom wrote:
lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
Everybody's Got Something to Hide..............


 
Dredging this up because...

Too Much Monkey Business, Shake Me Like a Monkey, Proudest Monkey, Monkey River (Munky River)... I like all of these!
Posted 10 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
I thought he was saying 'Polish the Monkey'. Jeez, talk about misheard lyrics. {#Rolleyes}
Posted 10 years ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
 zatxela wrote:
If you've ever worked in a backwards bureaucracy, these lyrics hit home...another winner from a great story teller...and awesome guitar tones!

 

upside only . {#Cowboy}need apply
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
we be the monkey, folks just pay close heed to congress{#Devil_pimp}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
What with Peter Gabriel telling us to shock the monkey, Mark telling us to punish him, and countless others suggesting we spank the poor fellah, hey, it's a tough time out there for monkeys!
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Chuckle, chuckle;  because it's so true. 
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
We should what now..?
Posted 11 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
I saw him and his band last night in Berkeley.

Beyond fantastic. I wish I could see them every week.

They opened with "What It Is" and did "So Far Away" for an encore, and the rest was off the new album.

Really good music, from really great musicians. Do yourself a favor and go see them if you can. 
Posted 11 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Mark can make cracker crumbs at my place any time
Posted 11 years ago by drcrnp    [ Reply ]
Great tune, but the rest of the album is even better.  Please, more from 'Kill to Get Crimson'!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Darbuka88    [ Reply ]
Loved the song! Felt a little sorry for that poor monkey but loved the song! =)

{#Crashcomp} 
Posted 12 years ago by GrooVy    [ Reply ]
 strous wrote:
Neighbour of Chris Isaak?
  

Regarding guitar-neighbourhood:
Where Mark craps - Chris is not allowed to eat!

In answering your question more directly:
NOOOOOO! No neighbourhood aaaaaaat all!

Is the elderly home in Florida in the neighbourhood of
the beaches of Anjuna...?

You're either kidding or do not have a drivers license!

Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:
spank the monkey
 


Posted 12 years ago by Stave    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Hmmm....never heard it called that before. :)
 g-rod wrote:
OK, I'm holding back...who's gonna do it?
 
I started listening during the last part of the chorus and my brain said "Whaaaaat did he say!!!"  That's funny. 
Now I'll need to listen to the first part of the song to see what he is really singing about.
Posted 12 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
If you've ever worked in a backwards bureaucracy, these lyrics hit home...another winner from a great story teller...and awesome guitar tones!
Posted 12 years ago by zatxela    [ Reply ]
 myersei wrote:
great lyrics and, as usual, spectacular guitar work.
 

Indeed!
Posted 12 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
great lyrics and, as usual, spectacular guitar work.
Posted 12 years ago by myersei    [ Reply ]
Neighbour of Chris Isaak?
Posted 13 years ago by strous    [ Reply ]
 MinMan wrote:

I, for one, say that this tune doesn't compare favorably with the first and last tunes referenced in the preceding - so there.

 

Will need more listens as always, but the four I mentioned are all faves of mine, including the Stones and Elvis C's

Matthews on the other hand,,,,, is not
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 mgtom wrote:
lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
Everybody's Got Something to Hide..............

 

Of course - how did I miss that one
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Hmmm....never heard it called that before. :)
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
Hey, Bill heard you! {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by g-rod    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
I, for one, say that this tune doesn't compare favorably with the first and last tunes referenced in the preceding - so there.

Posted 13 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
Everybody's Got Something to Hide..............

Posted 13 years ago by mgtom    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
 
https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=Music and search for "monkey"

Posted 13 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
OK, I'm holding back...who's gonna do it?
Posted 13 years ago by g-rod    [ Reply ]
New song with Monkey in the title.

I love Monkey songs - Shock the Monkey, Monkey Man, Monkey to Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

who has more
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]